Yesterday, 5 January, was a notable day for the “B teams project” in Portugal, and not because of events on the pitch, as Benfica B beat Sporting B 1-0 at Alcochete.

Portuguese Football Federation President Fernando Gomes said that the investment in B teams should be increased, only for Sporting President Bruno de Carvalho to counter that Sporting B may be disbanded at the end of the season.

Marcos Vitorino discusses the underlying issues afflicting an initiative that was created to boost the supply line of players for the Seleção.

Football over the Christmas and New Year period in Portugal was dominated by a tumultuous fortnight for Sporting. 

A breakdown in the relationship between club president Bruno de Carvalho and coach Marco Silva was widely reported, with several media outlets even jumping the gun and stating the highly rated tactician had been sacked. 

Such reports proved incorrect. Carvalho publicly backed his coach on Saturday afternoon, shortly before Sporting's impressive 3-0 victory over Estoril, which was followed by a call for union by Silva and club captain Adrien. 

Braga beat Benfica at the Estádio da Luz for the first time in 60 years tonight to progress to the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup. The hosts led at the interval through Jonas, but second-half goals from Aderlan Santos and Pardo turned it around for Sérgio Conceição's team. 

The only surviving club from outside the top flight in the last eight are Famalicão, who caused a big upset by beating Paços de Ferreira away. 

Marítimo only overcame Oriental after a dramatic penalty shootout, while Sporting were made to work hard by third-tier Vizela before coming through 3-2. 

Porto land Basel; Sporting face Wolfsburg 

FC Porto have been drawn against Swiss champions Basel, managed by Portugal legend Paulo Sousa, in the last 16 of the Champions League. 

In the Europa League Sporting landed Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg.